It's 5am, Sunday morning. Last night, dad had come back around 11pm as he said he would. Josh had gone home at around 10 after finishing the film we'd been watching. I missed him already. How sad did that sound? It hadn't even been a day.
To make matters worse, dad had told me last night; that today, was the day he'd be flying back to New York. At the mention of it, I'd stormed out of the room in frustration. However, this morning, I knew I couldn't hide from the idea. And as dad had requested, I'd woken up at 5am, to pack the car up alongside dad, readying myself to say goodbye.
From what I'd heard, his flight was at 7am, meaning he'd have to be at the airport at 6:30, latest.
Whilst packing the last bag into the trunk of the car, I let out a long sigh. Glancing at dad, I could see the worry written across his face.
"Don't look at me like that Ashley, I've explained the situation. You're allowed to move into that apartment next week. You won't have to be living here alone for long. Besides, that new boy Josh can take care of you." My brow furrows, was he missing the point?
"Dad, you know that's not what I'm worried about. Look whatever, just have a safe flight." I turn around, ready to walk back into the house to grab the sandwich's I'd prepared for him the night before. It wasn't the thought of living alone for a week that concerned me, it was the fact that I'd only just reconnected with my friends back in school, and josh. And now I was expected to move away from it all, even though things were starting to look 'up'. Last night, after Josh had left, id finally built up the courage to call Jazz. She's picked up on the third ring and squealed down the phone.
"Babeeeee, this cant really be you!" She'd gushed.
"Of course it it! Who else would it be!" I'd laughed and smiled to myself.
"Well well, you took your time hun, I've missed you." The sadness in her voice had crept in and my heart had tugged. How had I been so selfish to cut her off?
"I've missed you too Jazz. I'm sorry, things have just been a little hectic. I should really have contacted you sooner, I just didn't know how to cuz it'd been so long. You've gotta thank Josh really."
"It's alright honey, I completely understand. I can only imagine how tough this has been for you. And Ooo you and Josh? A thing yet?" I'd chuckled, Jazz had always been nosey.
"Errrmmm. Well in fact yea, he turned up on my door yesterday. My dad refused to let him go. So er yea he came in, we spoke and then well. Let's just say things went well and now I can finally call him my boyfriend!" I had blushed whilst pouring out the previous days events to her.
"OH MY GOD. THIS IS INCREDIBLE. YOU TWO, OH MY-.." she had shouted down the phone, to which I'd had to pull the phone away from my ear in fear of going deaf.
"Alright alright calm down, hey you know what, I've been meaning to talk to you about some issues though. You able to come over tomorrow? I'll even go all out and buy a tub of ice cream for you." I had giggled. Bribing Jazz was always the easiest thing. All you had to do was bring up the idea of ice-cream, and she was down.
"Ashley of course, you don't know how long I've been wanting to hear you ask that. I'll be over at 12pm. Does that sound okay? Then you'll have enough time to go buy my ice-cream." She'd laughed cheekily and I could only smile to myself. Jeez, I'd missed out on all this.
"12 sounds good. Just you and me, and of course ice-cream."
"Great, I'll see you then. Oh and, you'll be telling me allll about Josh won't you ash?"
"Of course" I'd laughed mockingly.
"Good, now I'll let you go catch your beauty sleep. I ain't dealin' with some moody shit tomorrow."
"Okay jazz, See ya. Text me tomorrow morning."
"Cool I will, night hun. Love you"
"Love you too, night." Id hang up the phone and smiled to myself. I'd known Jazz since I was 4 years old. And from meeting her that first time, we'd become inseparable.
I smile to myself as I reach the kitchen, remembering the phone call last night. I grab dads sandwiches and drink and place them in a carrier bag before making my way back outside to give them to him before he leaves. I reach the car and see my dad checking his passport and flight information.
"Hey dad, I've got you a few sandwiches n' a drink for the journey" he grabs them back, stepping in for a hug.
"You're a real gem to me sweetheart. Thank you." I smile and walk out of the hug.
"No worries. Just have a safe journey."
"Alright chicken, I will." I chuckle. Chicken. As a kid, that became my nickname from mum and dad. There was no reason behind it. I was just known as 'chicken'. Dad grasps me in a tight hug once again before kissing my forehead.
"Now you be careful okay? Make sure Josh looks after you. And have fun with Jazz today. If you need anything, message me"
"Sure dad. I will."
"And as for the apartment, I'll be down next Thursday for the day to drive you there and settle you in." He smiles and releases me from the hug.
"Okay dad. I'll see you then."
"I love you chicken. Stay strong."
"I love you too dad. Bye." I watch him as he steps into the car closing the door behind him. He rolls down his window and waves as he puts the car in reverse and drives it off the driveway. I wave back, grinning, although my eyes begin to water and I fight the edge to cry. You'll see him again soon I tell myself. It seems so stupid to be crying, but the thought of being alone scares me.
Once his car is no longer visible down the street, and after my hand is aching from waving, I make my way back into the house and up to my room. I notice my phone screen is lit and check it, noticing several messages, from Jazz, and Josh. I open the first one which is from Jazz and laugh.
Jazz: Oi sleepyhead, remember my ice-cream :) x
Me: Of course, who would forget? :) x
Jazz: YOU! You've forgotten before :/ x
Me: Ugh, that was once. I'll go get some now, satisfied? X
Jazz: Very :))) x
I then open Josh's message, a small smile spreading across my face.
Josh: Morning beautiful, you up? ❤️
Me: Morning baby, yeh I'm up, not willingly tho :/ ❤️
Josh: Awww, poor baby. How come? ❤️
Me: Well I had to help my dad pack the car cuz he's just left for the airport :( ❤️
Josh: Oh, I didn't realise he had to leave so soon :/ ❤️
Me: Neither, but his work was demanding him to come back soooo, yea :( ❤️
Josh: Well babe, anything I can do to cheer you up? I could come over later if you like? ❤️
Me: Well Jazz is coming around in a bit, so maybe once she's gone. If that's alright? ❤️
Josh: Of course, I miss you. Can't wait ❤️
Me: Me neither. Imma go shop now to buy ice-cream for Jazz. I'll message you later once she's left. ❤️
Josh: Okay babe, bye ❤️
I smile stupidly at my phone before putting it down and getting ready to go and buy the beloved ice-cream for Jazz and I.
YOU ARE READING
Picking Up The Broken Pieces
Teen Fiction~~~~~~~ When your life falls apart, you're faced with the question - Do you run from it all? Or do you face it? Fight? Or flight? ~~~~~~~ Ashley, your average 17 year old teenage girl, is struck with the news of her mother's death, a day after her 1...
